As the temperatures drop and the leaves change, as we drift toward fall and spooky vibes, Netflix’s new animated series Haunted Hotel releases its first ten-episode season at the right moment. The show’s creator, Matt Roller, was a writer on the very popular and rather nihilistic show Rick and Morty. This new series is not as profane or graphic, but the inspiration for irreverent humor addressing universal issues has definitely carried over. 

 

Katherine (Eliza Coupe) has taken over the duties of running the Undervale Hotel from her deceased brother, Nathan (Will Forte), with the help of her son, Ben (Skyler Gisondo), and daughter, Esther (Natalie Palamides). It should be noted that Nathan is a ghost and still tries to help his sister from beyond the grave as Katherine tries to drum up business while the multiple other ghosts residing on the hotel grounds run off all prospective guests. The family also includes a demon named Abaddon, who possesses a young boy played with dry surliness by Jimmi Simpson. Other notable voices do walk-on guest work, including Diedrich Bader, Phil LaMarr, Gaten Matarazzo, Kumail Nanjiani, Keith David, Randall Park, Jim Rash, Patrick Warburton, and Melissa Fumero. 

 

The ten episodes fly by with each one running about 25 minutes. Haunted Hotel does not break any new ground, but rather blends familiar and interesting concepts into quick, digestible bites. The humor is softer than Rick and Morty, aiming more toward the PG-13 crowd by stabbing at domestic drama and character story arcs. The characters are fun and relatable, especially the neurotic Ben, the tenacious, troubling Esther, and the complicated Abaddon. The brother/sister dynamic between Katherine and Nathan gets stronger as the episodes progress, remarking on responsibility, communication, and love. 

 

Netflix needs a horror/drama/comedy crystallized project after ending its contract with Mike Flanagan, who notably cemented a vigorous legacy with projects such as The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass, and The Haunting of Hill House. This new animated series does not punch at the same dramatic weight class as those projects did. However, this show explores significant issues that are ubiquitous and relevant still, and does so smartly in the context of an animated horror lens. 

 

Haunted Hotel does carry stylized gore along with some scary imagery, but never plumbs the depths of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina or Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. Whether this would be ok for children to watch is certainly in the hands of the parent, but the more wholesome and humorous elements far outweigh the heavy, graphic moments. 

 

I mentioned that Netflix released this show at the right moment, but that was, I believe, a two-pronged attack. Haunted Hotel is a safe and funny soft launch with Halloween right around the corner. However, this show also has an unwritten task of whetting the appetite for the return of another Netflix show that is gearing up for its final run: Stranger Things. Haunted Hotel is like a Diet Coke version of Rick and Morty, simultaneously being an adequate placeholder for the void of the expected Netflix horror stock. 

 

P.S. – Haunted Hotel takes a wonderful page from the Mike Flanagan playbook when it comes to easter eggs. Each episode is packed with hidden gems that reference other horror movies, shows, and IPs. Reportedly, over 80 secrets, nods, and homages are nested in the ten-episode run for every eagle-eyed horror fan to enjoy.